Union men’s hockey claims 5th annual Mayor’s Cup with OT win

ALBANY, NY—Sophomore forward Cole Maier scored 33 seconds into overtime to lift the ninth-ranked Union College men’s hockey team to a 3-2 overtime win against Rensselaer in the Fifth Annual Capital District Mayor’s Cup, Thursday night at the Times Union Center. The Dutchmen, who completed their first sweep of their crosstown rival since 2012-13, improve to 17-5-2. The Engineers go to 4-21-1.

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Maier and first-year forward Luc Brown each finished with a goal and an assist. First-year Anthony Rinaldi rounded out the scoring for Union, while Brett Supinski extended his point streak to four games with a pair of assists (3G-4A). In goal, Alex Sakellaropoulos made 24 saves for his Division I-leading 16th win of the season (16-3-1).

Riley Bourbonnais put RPI in front at with a power-play goal 15:36 of the first, carrying the puck into the right circle and tucking a wrist shot inside the far post.

Union battled back late in the second period, tying the game at 15:45 on Brown fourth’s career tally. Maier brought the puck into the offensive zone and flipped a pass into the slot. Supinski helped the puck to Brown, whose wrist shot went off RPI goaltender Chase Perry’s (16 saves) glove and into the back of the net.

The Engineers answered 1:14 later when Charlie Manley’s shot from the point deflected in off the stick of a Union defenseman, giving RPI a 2-1 lead heading into the third.

Rinaldi potted the equalizer 1:50 into the third, converting on a rebound. Ryan Burton redirected Vas Kolias’ shot onto Perry’s left pad, and Rinaldi pounced on the loose puck, netting his third career goal.

RPI came close in the last minute of regulation, but Sakellaropoulos came up with two saves in tight to send the game to overtime.

The Dutchmen wasted no time in the extra frame, producing the game-winning goal just 33 seconds into the period. Supinski threw a shot toward the net, resulting in a goalmouth scramble. Brown took a couple whacks at the rebound before Maier managed to jam home the winner.

Union outshot RPI 27-16 and finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Engineers were 1-for-2.

The Dutchmen return to ECAC Hockey play next weekend, traveling to the North Country to take on Clarkson (Jan. 27) and No. 16 St. Lawrence (Jan. 28).